Photo Courtesy of Wikimedia Commons/oraxim
Jimenez allegedly struck the tiny Chihuahua-type dog (similar to the one pictured) on the head with a metal rod.
By Forum Staff
A Long Island City man has been indicted on animal cruelty charges for senselessly striking a Chihuahua-type dog named Gigi following a physical altercation with a former acquaintance in December, Queens District Attorney Richard Brown recently announced.
Luis Jimenez, 26, was arraigned last week on a three-count indictment charging him with second-degree criminal mischief, overdriving, torturing and injuring animals, failure to provide sustenance and aggravated cruelty to animals. Bail was continued for Jimenez in the amount of $15,000 and he was ordered to return to court on May 3.
According to the charges, shortly after 9 p.m. on Dec. 20, Jimenez was involved in a fight with the brother of Gigi’s owner. After the fight, the dog owner’s mother witnessed the 8-pound Gigi walk toward Jimenez. Surveillance video then allegedly captured Jimenez strike the tiny dog on the head with a metal rod. The blow caused the dog to yelp out in apparent pain, Brown noted.
According to the charges, detectives investigating the incident took Gigi to the Association for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals on Dec. 21, where a veterinarian completed a comprehensive examination on the pup. The analysis allegedly showed that the 2-year-old dog suffered severe damage to her right eye and a broken right cheekbone. Her injuries were consistent with having suffered blunt-force trauma to the head. As a result of Jimenez’s alleged actions, Gigi now lives with excruciating pain and is permanently blind in her right eye, Brown said. The dog is still undergoing treatment at the ASPCA and may require surgery to remove the damaged eye.
“The defendant allegedly whacked a small, defenseless animal that approached the man when he and a former friend got into a physical altercation. The 2-year-old pup suffered severe injuries to her face and right eye,” Brown added. “This kind of alleged brutality against an 8-pound dog is both senseless and heartless. The defendant will be held accountable for allegedly inflicting immeasurable pain on this poor animal.”
If convicted, Jimenez faces up to seven years in prison.
